Buteo rufinus - Long-legged Buzzard
Feather characters. Barbules are extremely long (2.7-3.1 mm), entangled and basal internodes contain lightly stippled pigment. Concentration of pigment gradually decreases distally. Slightly thickened nodes (10-12 per mm) are located on proximal end of barbules. Over a short distance these nodes abruptly decrease in size. Further along the barbule, nodal structures are too small to qualify as nodes. Villi are absent and internodes are straight. Short prongs may occur along the entire length and on both sides of the pennulum, but they are unequally distributed. Their length varies; in some preparations, only minute prongs are found. The longest ones are longer than 0.01 mm, but shorter than half the length of the adjacent internode. Occasionally prongs are asymmetric.
Field characters. Length 50-65 cm; wingspan 126-155 cm. Weight: male 1035 g (590-1281), female 1314 g (945-1760) (Dunning, 1993). Difficult to distinguish from Common Buzzard (especially race vulpinus of latter), but somewhat larger and heavier. Plumage as variable as in Common Buzzard, ranging from warm rufous-brown with blotched creamy white underparts to rare melanistic phase with very dark brown underparts. Head and tail usually pale, the latter without distinct bands. In flight underparts conspicuously white, except for dark wing-tips, carpal patches and thighs. Except for size and outline, juvenile hard to distinguish from young Steppe Buzzard (see Buteo buteo); tail faintly but densely barred.
Voice. Call is a sharp 'mew'.
Distribution. Rare summer visitor in the south-eastern part of Europe. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Frequents lowland arid and semi-arid steppes and semi-desert; usually nests on ledges of cliffs etc.
Food. Detects prey during circling flight or from perch or on the ground. Feeds mainly on small mammals, reptiles, and large insects; also small to medium-sized birds.